PCTech Forums

Hello everyone.
I am looking to buy an amp for my pc, instead of just buying some speakers.
What I would like to know is what do I actually need to connect the amp to the pc?

To be as clear as I can, I want to know what I should look for in its description that will enable me to connect it up, if that makes sense?

I’m thinking something along these lines http://www.europc.co.uk/pages/ProductPa ... ?PID=64890

Thanks for any advice.
Venney

you'll need a that will go from your soundcard to the amp, thats pretty much it.

Thanks liljim

well venney, you kinda put yourself in a odd situation. The sound card you bought is a great card, i have the exact same card and im more than satisfied but the amp isnt going to give you the surround that the card is capable of. To get the amp and card in sync at all your going to have to run the card in 2 channel mode and allow the amp to decode it to 5.1

it should sound good, but i just want you to know its going to 5.1 thats decoded by the amp and not 7.1 by the soundcard. You will be putting the sound card in 2 channel mode via the software that comes with it and use the same adapter i previously posted to make the connection from the pc to the amp. The manual that comes with the soundcard should show you which jack to use for 2 channel out but i'm 99.9% sure its going to be the green one.

On the amp, you have 3 audio inputs. They are the red and white plugs
1. TV/sat
2. DVD
3. Video

You can use any of the 3 inputs but as you picture illustrates theres only 2 channels per input, a right and a left. This is why your sound card will need to be set for a 2 channel output, it needs to match the 2 channel input.


Not long ago my onboard sound went out and i bought the same soundcard but i took the easy way out on sound and bought the [url=http://www.provantage.com/creative-labs-51mf7025aa000~7CRLP02N.htm]Creative Labs
Inspire P7800 Speakers[/url] (didnt buy from them) to match. it was easy to connect and sounds good with the true 7.1 sound.

Hello again.
Ive installed my soundcard, and i think my amp/speakers are coming 2moz.
How do i put the card in 2 channel mode?
I can change it to 5.1, you can just choose via the software what mode it should go in, like 7.1, 5.1, 4.1, 2.1 etc, But i dont think ive seen it say two channel mode?

soz for being a pain liljim lol, but i do apriciate your help

2.1 would be what you want

Thanks man! I’m going to nip home in a min and try it.
I was trying everything I could think of, but now you have shown me that makes perfect sense to what you said before.

All the stuff arrived today, and the amp was much bigger than I thought it would be.
I’ve found the model number, but I can’t find any information about the amp at all, Sony str-ksl5, it looks very good to be honest, and I think I got it all at a bargain price!

I’m going to go and buy some wire cutters now and hopefully ill be up and running soon!!
Thanks liljim you rule!!

I took some photos.
Im going to buy some grey material and cover the sub i think.
Heres the pics






If im honest im far more impressed with the amp than the speakers. The back speakers sound a bit iffy, i may in the future replace them, but the front 3 and the sub sound great. Im still deciding if i should just unplug them and use 3 speakers and a sub or have all 5. I think i'll porbally unplug them until i buy some replacement ones.

Thanks again liljim

Your more than welcome.
I never find that rear speakers sound like they should, i have a 5.1 setup on another computer and the rear wasnt up to par, i bought them brand new. I could never balance out the sound like i wanted to. Oddly enough, i havent had that problem with the 7.1 set, everything equaled out nicely.


What is that in between the monitor and the amp?

LOL It’s my window (with blinds closed).
I luckily have two windows so I rarely open that one, because of the pc being rite next to it.
I’ve only got this room for another 6 weeks or so (after Easter) and next year I will have it sorted out nicer.
I think I am going to try replacing the back speakers, but you may be rite. If it doesn’t affect it I guess I will sell them on (the new ones I mean).

Thanks again liljim, you've been a really big help

Hey liljim, i was wondering, if i used a SPDIF output on the sound card, would that offer better 5.1? Maybe that could make the rear speakers work better?
I may try it, a 3 meter wire only costs about 12 pounds (2 pounds cheaper on ebay, but not worth the wait).
The amp has an SPDIF input i think?
Thanks

Ive just seen that you have to buy an upgrade

Although i think the card may be able to take Digital coaxial cables? And i think my sub has one, i may try it out see if it works from the card to the amp like that, if so buy 1 from maplin, even cheaper than the other 1! I am thinking i probally need that adaptor tho even for that.

Venney